Just a note to those of you whose cats like catnip, this year I grew enough in the garden to dry my own...and it is much more potent than any I have bought prepackaged.

I gave my cats a taste test by comparing "home grown" to store bought (from Wal-mart) and they ignored the store bought entirely when given the option.

BTW, it's easy to grow, harvest and dry. Cut it after the first bloom, leaving 1/3 of the stalk in place until the end of season (it will continue to grow). Tie the stalks together at the base with string and hand upside down in a dark space for a few weeks.

Hanging it upside down causes the active ingredient, nepetalactone, to flow down into the leaves. Additionally, nepetalactone is apparently sensitive to light (loses potency), hence the dark drying room.

If you ever get the chance to watch “Tiger Island” on Discovery, it is awesome. They say that the tigers are the closest of the big cats to those “little evil creatures of darkness” that we have lurking around our homes.
Before you flame me I have 3 kitties along with my 2 choc labs, the above quote is from a movie - can anyone guess the movie?

18
posted on 08/06/2010 5:33:07 AM PDT
by Cyclone59
(Don't blame me, I voted for the hot chick and the old guy!)

If you ever get the chance to watch Tiger Island on Discovery, it is awesome. They say that the tigers are the closest of the big cats to those little evil creatures of darkness that we have lurking around our homes.

Before you flame me I have 3 kitties along with my 2 choc labs, the above quote is from a movie - can anyone guess the movie?

A few days ago, I realized that I hadn’t taken a new Kitty Hooch mouse out of the freezer for a while, and I gave one to my Rocket who proceeded to do a perfect “Reno” — from the link — impression. That is exactly what he did.

He used to be a mean drunk, slashing at any cat who came near him when he had catnip, but he has mellowed considerably, and was quite friendly to all.

Great thread, and thanks for the ping, Dooood.

35
posted on 08/06/2010 9:29:43 AM PDT
by TheOldLady
(Pablo is very wily.)

A word of warning: catnip can be very invasive. It literally grows like a weed. I never minded, and actually like the sweet lemony smell, but I’ve seen it quickly squeeze out other plantings if left unchecked. I’ve heard it it grows very nicely in a container.

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